What is your Islamic Name?

A lot of people which includes muslim and non-muslim who met me normally will ask me about my Islam name. The answer which i will always tell is that my name is Ng Kuan Beng. Thus a lot will ask, i thought that is your old name? No addition of bin Abdullah? Here are some of the misunderstood issues which i am going to explain.

Islamic Name

What is Islamic name? Islamic name is a name which contains good meaning and doesn't have the meaning which put partner with Allah (mensyirikkan Allah). It does not matter whether it is a Chinese name, Indian name, Japanese name, Korean name and so on AS LONG AS it contains GOOD MEANING.

Can we retain our name?

Can a person retain their name if they want to become muslim? YES, they can retain their name 100% as this has been practised by some of the close companions of the Prophet Muhammad and the Prophet himself (May Allah peace be upon him). Examples are Muhammad bin Abdullah, Umar al Khattab and Ali bin Abu Talib.



Is putting bin Abdullah something that is allowed?

Is putting bin Abdullah to revert name something that is allow even though his father name is not Abdullah? The Holy Quran gives us a very clear statement:

Call them by (the names of) their fathers: that is juster in the sight of Allah. But if ye know not their father's (names, call them) your Brothers in faith, or your maulas. But there is no blame on you if ye make a mistake therein: (what counts is) the intention of your hearts: and Allah is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful. (Al-Ahzab: 5)

Bin Abdullah to show that we are servant of Allah?

Some may say that putting bin Abdullah is to show that they are servant of Allah. But the truth is when someone choose to become a muslim, he/she automatically become a servant of Allah as a muslim is someone who submits to Allah's wills.

How about those who already put bin Abdullah?

For those who already changed in that way through the guidance of those who have no knowledge of this, may Allah forgive and guide them to the right path. But for those who wish to change back may have to find information at some government departments such as JPN.

If don't put bin Abdullah, how to let people know I am a muslim?

There are a lot of ways to show people that you are a muslim. One of the ways is by growing beard as a lot of muslim normally grow beard and it is also something that a muslim should do as it is stated in the hadith:

Hadith - Bukhari 7:781, Narrated Ibn 'Umar:
Allah's Apostle said, "Cut the moustaches short and leave the beard (as it is)."

Another way which some of my friends did is by putting an arabic name in front of their name, example like Firdaus Wong Wai Hung, Adam Sih Huah Sing, Adam Golku Bin Subramaniam. And what I like to do to show people that I am a muslim is by going to the mosque always as muslim guys are very encourage to go to mosque daily to perform their 5 times solat a day.

Any example of those who retain their name 100%?

There are a lot of reverts in Malaysia who didn't change their name and retain it 100% . They are Lim Jooi Soon, Ann Wan Seng, Goh Yee Mei, Eh Jun Guang, Shah Kirit Bin Kalkulai Govindji and this also include myself Ng Kuan Beng.

Conclusion

Islam is easy, practical and always teach us that there is no compulsion (force) in religion. It should be the revert own's decision whether they want to retain their name or not. But do not be surprise of people who don't know about this as a lot of people which includes muslim and non-muslim have misunderstanding towards Islam and its practice. It is the duty of those who know to inform those who don't.